Raiders to Keep No. 1 Pick, Draft Indiana QB Mendoza

Las Vegas Raiders are set on selecting Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top overall selection.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 8:55am

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The Las Vegas Raiders are not planning to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to reports. The team is expected to use the selection to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion. With a lack of other top QB prospects in this year's class, the Raiders are committed to pairing Mendoza with new head coach Klint Kubiak, who was hired after winning the Super Bowl as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator.

Why it matters

The Raiders' decision to hold onto the No. 1 pick and select Mendoza signals their commitment to rebuilding around a young franchise quarterback. After finishing with the league's worst record in 2025, the Raiders are hoping Mendoza can be the long-term answer under center and help turn the team around.

The details

Since the NFL/AFL merger in 1967, only 13 teams have traded out of the No. 1 overall pick. The Raiders, who secured the top selection after shutting down their best players late in the 2025 season, have no plans to add to that total. With a lack of other top QB prospects in this year's draft class - like Arch Manning and Dante Moore - the Raiders are set on taking Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana.

  • The Raiders secured the No. 1 overall pick after a Week 17 loss to the Giants in 2025.
  • Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to the national championship in the 2025 college football season.

The players

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana University who is expected to be selected No. 1 overall by the Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Klint Kubiak

The new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, hired after winning the Super Bowl as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator.

Maxx Crosby

The Raiders' star defensive end who was shut down late in the 2025 season, helping the team secure the No. 1 overall pick.

Brock Browers

The Raiders' star tight end who was also shut down late in the 2025 season, helping the team secure the No. 1 overall pick.

Jaxson Dart

The Giants' 2025 first-round quarterback, who gave the team optimism that they may not have needed the No. 1 overall pick.

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What’s next

The Raiders will officially select Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in April.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to hold onto the No. 1 pick and select Mendoza shows their commitment to rebuilding around a young franchise quarterback, as they look to turn the team around after a dismal 2025 season.